President Joe Biden signed a bill banning enforcement or validation of any trademark confiscated by Cuba’s government on Sunday, according to a Monday White House press release.
The No Stolen Trademarks Honored Act expands the prohibition against US federal courts enforcing rights to trademarks confiscated by Cuba then asserted by Cuban nationals. It bars the US Patent and Trademark Office from recognizing, enforcing, or otherwise validating any assertion of rights to such marks.
Congress sent the measure to the White House on Nov. 20.
The legislation stems from the 1950s when the Cuban government was accused of stealing trademarks, which triggered intellectual property fights over brands including “Cohiba” cigars and “Havana Club” rum. It stretches the existing ban to “executive agencies” to solidify a position in US law denying recognition to Cuba’s seizure of brands, or any transactions related to those confiscated assets.
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